Below are a few samples of my writing including a blog post, article, and press release. Each order is custom written to be appropriate for your specific audience. In other words, content can be written on any grade level, although the standard for western countries is seventh grade.
Sample Blog Post:
Digital Wedding Photography Tips
Posted on February 20, 2009 at http://www.photographyspy.com
Keyword: digital wedding photography
Word Count: 1255*
*NOTE: This is an example of a blog post that can be split into two posts or developed into a series
At first glance good digital wedding photography may seem to be a subject best left for the pros. While that may be true, it is also possible for photography enthusiasts, amateurs, and of course, simply wedding guests who want to capture the special day, to take digital wedding photos like the pros. An advantage to other people taking digital wedding photography is that you can capture the event from the perspective of a by-stander. The hired photographer has an agenda which usually consists of a list of standard shots such as the bride getting out of the limousine upon her arrival to the ceremony, the groom shaking hands with the best man, or formal portraits in the garden.
However, you do not have those restrictions. With this freedom of not having the responsibility of capturing every specific desired image, you can use the information below to record a unique perspective of the event, which you can then turn into a nice gift, (say for the couple’s first anniversary, for the parents of the bride and groom…)or simply as a special remembrance for yourself. The digital wedding photography tips below are just some of many different styles and possibilities to capture these special moments in time.
Think of yourself as a storyteller. First and foremost digital wedding photography is about telling a story. It can be a form of photojournalism, and it can transcend into fine art. It’s all about your eye. How do you see this event? Think of your “job” as telling a story to someone who was not able to be at the wedding (or any event, for that matter.) What do you want to convey to the person who did not attend? You are capturing the event, but you are capturing the small details that when put together make up the moments that what happened. Your hands hold the tool that will record this event through your perspective. Think about that. If ten people followed these tips at the same event, ten different stories will have been told. Tell yours.
Realistic documentation or fantasy documentation? Decide from the beginning where you want to go with this project of capturing digital wedding photography. What is your end result going to be? Are your images going to be for your personal use? Will they ultimately be a gift? Do you want generic images for other uses? (Such as taking images of the bouquets and using them as wall-art.)
Weddings give digital photographers a great opportunity to get creative. There are a lot of textures at weddings – fabrics in the gowns of the bridal party as well as guests, flowers, food, displays (buffet, cake table…) Even guests dancing give the photographer many opportunities for documenting the event from a fantasy perspective. By setting your camera to a slow shutter speed and then taking pictures of dancing, you will get streaky images that will have a strong feel of movement. They may not be in sharp focus, but that’s not what fantasy is about. Fantasy is about feeling, and telling a story from a different perspective.
Be an observer. Often times when a main event is unfolding, there is another, more precious event happening. When the crowd is focusing (no pun intended) on something, say, the bride enters the church – all of the sudden shutters start clicking, flashes start going off, and they are all focused on the subject. It’s okay to grab that shot, the point of this tip, is to then quickly observe the crowd – just look around, try and blend, don’t be noticed. What do you see? You will be surprised at how many great digital photographic opportunities are right around you! Is there a tear in the father-of-the-groom’s eye? Is there a little three year old trying to run down the isle and Mom is holding her from the sprint? These are the types of little digital wedding photography tips that can turn a mundane group of same-as-everyone-else’s photos, into a unique treasure. So often these are the little noticed events that will become some of the most cherished memories. After all, what I am telling you to record often becomes the visual record of the stories that get told long after the wedding day is over.
Be different. When everyone is taking pictures of the cake, try and take a picture of something different – something related to the cake. This could be a detail of the cake, or the setting where the cake is. Another good tip for being different would be to take a picture of the guest who is photographing the cake, for example. Also, you can take a picture of the same subject, but from a different angle. Looking at a common scene from a different perspective instantly gets your images noticed. The viewer recognizes the familiar scene, but because you are presenting it from a different angle, or viewpoint, the viewer stops and notices it.
Listen. What is being discussed about the wedding by the guests? If guests are talking about Uncle Elmo who has put the centerpiece flower in his hair, get a shot of that. You get the point. Often the subject is handed to you by the other honored guests. Listen. Act. Shoot.
Look for sentimental moments. Often people try to hide their emotion. With this in mind, look for people who suddenly become quiet, or whose body language tells something is going on with them. Observe their face – is there a tear in their eye? Are they getting choked up, do they glow of love and pride? These are the moments that are better captured with a telephoto lens. Zoom in, take the shot.
Be Complete. If you take a close-up shot, also take a wide-angle shot. This puts the event in perspective. The wider shot gives the close-up a reference point.
Look for funny moments. The spontaneous, mistakes, and comedy that inevitably happens during weddings make for great pictures. Accidents happen. Capturing them can be a little bit of like being in the right place at the right time, but you can stack the cards in your favor for capturing these moments by being observant, listening, and anticipating what might happen next. After observing the crowd as the day goes on, certain individuals may start to emerge as having a greater chance of being the subject of these funny moments. Keep an eye on them. You know where I’m going with this…
Don’t discount the formal shots. If you are in a position to take some formal shots, by all means, go for it. Here is a list of some of the more common traditional shots that a wedding photographer might take:
Bride alone, bride with her mother, bride with her maid of honor, groom alone, groom with best man, the bride & groom, bride with her attendants – couple with attendants, bride with siblings, groom with siblings, bride & groom with their siblings, bride with her family, groom with his family, bride and groom with each other’s family, bride and groom with both families… the list can go on-and-on.
The Obvious Tips. Charge your camera(s) before the event. Make sure your digital media cards are empty. That means download any images that are currently on your camera’s memory card. Bring extra batteries and digital media cards. Do maintenance on the camera before the event, such as cleaning the lenses.
I hope these digital wedding photography tips help you to take better images of special events as well as your photography in general.
Sample Article:
Size and Shape Does Matter
Published on April 21, 2009 at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1670242/size_and_shape_does_matter.html
Keyword: shape
Word Count: 1255
That handbag looked great on the mannequin, why doesn’t it look as good on me? The answer may surprise you.
Body shape plays a big part in what styles look good on each of us. There are some basic categories of shapes that we all fall into. Acknowledging which category your figure falls into is the first step towards choosing the best styles for you. Some of the more common categories are: Triangle Shape, Inverted Triangle Shape, Athletic Shape, Hourglass Shape, and Apple Shape.
Just as there are categories of body shapes, and colors, there are also categories of shapes, styles, and colors, for many accessories, including handbags. Combining the two can either be disastrous, or can truly enhance both the person and the accessory to create a more pleasing appearance, which in turn makes the wearer feel more comfortable and confident.
The Inverted Triangle Shape
People who are considered to have a triangle shape have hips and a waistline that is smaller than their shoulders. When you have broad shoulders, the eye naturally goes up towards them. So, in order to balance out the body, choose a handbag that falls lower and has a long strap. The bulk of the purse will fall low to bring the focus down toward your hips. The Hobo style and Messenger style handbags both have long straps and some bulk that would look good on someone with an Inverted Triangle shape body.
The Triangle Shape
People who fall into this category have smaller shoulders than waistline. They also tend to have wider hips. Choosing a handbag that falls above your hips and just below your natural waistline will help balance your figure. This creates an illusion that your shoulders are wider, which in turn creates a more balanced overall look. Two styles of handbags that look good with a triangle shape figure are the Satchel and the Barrel styles.
The Athletic Shape
As one would imagine, the Athletic Shape figure is lean and the three major areas are equal, being hips, waistline, and shoulders. A handbag that falls close to your natural waistline will provide the illusion of a slightly curvier waist and hips area. The Hobo and Satchel styles would look good with the Athletic Shape figure.
The Hourglass Shape
Ahh, the Hourglass Shape… A shape every woman yearns for. Some consider this body shape perfect because the hips and shoulders are balanced and the waistline is noticeably smaller that the hips and shoulders. IF you are lucky enough to have an hourglass shape, most any style of handbag will work for you, as long as the overall size of the bag is in proportion to your overall size. You can choose from the Clutch style to the Tote style – they all look good on you!
The Apple Shape
The people considered to have an Apple Shape figure tend to have narrow shoulders and thighs as compared to their waistline and bust line. By choosing a style of purse that is on the wider side, you will trick the eye and provide a more balanced overall look for your figure. Some handbag styles that work well with your body shape are the Shopper and the Bucket styles.
So, the next time you are in a department store looking at a mannequin wondering if that purse will look good on you, look past the style of the handbag, and ask yourself what body shape is this mannequin? If it is different from your own, your best bet is to try looking for a shape and style that will flatter your real-life great body shape.
Sample Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Laurene Buckley, Director, lbuckley@oswego.edu
Tyler Art Gallery
State University of New York at Oswego
7060 State Route 104
Oswego, NY 13126
315.312.2113
www.oswego.edu/tylerartgallery
RGB: Master of Arts Thesis Exhibition
Spring 2008 Tyler Art Gallery
April 4 – 27, 2008
Reception: Friday, April 4, 2008, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
OSWEGO, NY – Tyler Art Gallery at SUNY Oswego will feature original graduate student work during “RGB: Master of Arts Thesis Exhibition,” from April 4 through April 27. The public is invited to a reception for the artists from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Friday, April 4, in Tyler Hall.
The spring exhibition fulfills graduation requirements for the Master of Arts Graphic Design degree offered through the SUNY Oswego art department. The exhibition, titled “RGB: Master of Arts Thesis Exhibition,” blends the work of graphic design students Roey Bannon, Gail Bering-Porter, and Brian Schwartz. “RGB” stands for the artists’ names as well as “red-green-blue,” the term used to describe color on a computer monitor. Digital tools and media are an integral part of the program. The art of a graphic designer is created in this environment. Each artist produces graphic design using the same tools, but the results are quite varied. Roey Bannon incorporates digital photography, typography, and graphic design to create thought-provoking, persuasive pieces. Gail Bering-Porter’s graphic design work includes digital printmaking, web design, and multimedia, combining her various studio interests in illustration, photography, and typography. Brian Schwartz creates work that incorporates both traditional media and multimedia.
Roey Bannon states, “My art is a visual dialogue that strives to communicate with the viewer. This exhibition is about seeing, connecting, and uniting us through a silent conversation in which we can share our thoughts, ideas, and memories. We each observe the world we live in from a unique perspective. From an early age, the pen and the camera became strong communication tools for me. Sharing my unique views with others was and continues to be a great source of satisfaction and feeds my soul. When coupled with my enthusiasm for research, love of humor, irony, and metaphor, the end result reveals to the viewer something deeper than the two-dimensional surface upon which it is contained. As a photographic designer, my goal is to capture “observations.” I will look for a shot I want—and use patience until the shot is right. I let the environment dictate, inspire, and tell the story.
Photography and graphic design enhance communication. I hope my art will reveal the value of photography as a tool for graphic design as well as an independent tool for communication. I hope the audience will view photography as more than something used to capture the ephemeral snapshot and to look at the environment from a new perspective.
There is a little esoteric nugget in most of my pieces. Sometimes it is a joke, or my way of playing “hide and seek” with the viewer. It is a way to get out a private expression in a public piece. As I have evolved as an artist, there have been several quantum leaps of growth in my art. Rules are made, accepted, questioned, contradicted, broken. This exhibition is about vision, perspective, and storytelling.”
According to Gail Bering-Porter, “Art emerges in conjunction with an exploration of ideas. For years I expressed these ideas with cloth as the medium,” she says, “creating large-scale pieces with transformational themes. When I found myself working with computers—digital graphics in particular—I was intrigued and delighted by the similar processes in both mediums for developing design and laying down color. Creating art with cloth involves cutting the cloth into shapes and then juxtaposing the pieces to enhance the color. Texture accents are achieved with cloth of intricate patterns and weave. Layering is essential for the appearance of depth and perspective because what is placed first defines each successive piece. The same is true of creating art with computers. The artist forms color-filled shapes, combines them into layers and adds layers to layers until the pieces become a unified whole. Joining work created in the graphic program Illustrator with photographs manipulated in PhotoShop exquisitely expands the textural range to nearly infinite. Multimedia and web design have created vast arenas and endless creative possibilities for communication, artistic expression, and play, bringing still projects to life and making interaction with the viewer dynamic and immediate.”
Whether bringing information to an audience, selling merchandise, presenting a portfolio, or creating graphic images, it is, in the end, about communication and expression. To be able to do these things powerfully is the designer’s success and to do it beautifully is to make it art. Regardless of medium—cloth, wood, paint, computer, film, clay—all endeavor to give form to thought and to make ideas visual.”
Brian Schwartz states, “Life is a journey through winding roads, some bright and pleasant and some dark and disturbing. In life we have to make choices about whether or not we should strive for more or settle with what we have. Although our roads take many twists and turns, it might just be the journey itself that defines and transforms us, rather than the destination.
Prior to my graduate studies in graphic design, I taught broadcast communications to a high school audience. That experience taught me the endless possibilities of incorporating a well-rounded curriculum into my class work that utilizes multiple aspects of a student’s life. For example, developing lessons in areas of math and science along with an understanding of speech and critical thinking should greatly enhance my students’ experience.
My journey has taken me to the culmination of a master’s program that has given me the opportunity and the ability to focus my studies in web design, interactive design, and print media. The research and development in these areas of interest are my reasons for pushing and pulling at life’s strings. This exhibition is about this understanding and the development of my journey that will extend into the world of education once again.”
All Tyler Art Gallery events are free and open to the public. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends. For additional information and for persons with disabilities needing assistance to visit the gallery, call 312-2113.
For a complete exhibition schedule, visit www.oswego.edu/tylerartgallery.
